quote about the Brackett script from Kurtz in Starlog 1978.12

pg.22

The script, penned by Brackett, was carefully constructed to avoid all cliches and stereotypes. Unfortunately, shortly after finishing her initial draft, the talented writer passed away. Already nearing pre-production time, Kurtz and Lucas picked up the script and ran with it.

"We now have two drafts that we're quite pleased with," says Kurtz. "We took Leigh Brackett's draft and looked at it. It was fine. George took it and made some minor modifications, fleshing it out a bit because, obviously, she didn't have the chance. She was going to do two drafts and a polish but passed away just as she was about to start the second draft. The difference between her first draft and the second one completed by George is fairly minimal. George had to re-adjust the emphasis slightly. We may or may not hire another writer to do a minor dialogue polish. We'll be making that decision soon."